Win Without War Denounces #TrumpParade

WASHINGTON — Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement regarding news that Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to organize a military parade in Washington, DC:

Donald Trump’s “marching orders” to the Pentagon to organize a military parade in the streets of Washington, DC does nothing but reinforce Trump’s image as an aspiring dictator who is more interested in turning America into an authoritarian banana republic than defending the Constitution he is sworn to protect.

The reality is that this needless effort to stoke Donald Trump’s fragile ego will only reinforce the notion that America’s foreign policy is military first (and second, third, and fourth) — particularly at a time when diplomacy is needed most.

We should be clear, given Trump’s admiration of dictators around the world, whether it’s Vladimir Putin, Rodrigo Duterte, or any other number of dictators, this event will be about Donald Trump and Donald Trump only. Our troops, our military leaders and the American people deserve better.

If Trump’s authoritarianism on full display wasn’t enough, the hypocrisy of claiming the Pentagon is depleted and needs tens of billions more to fill its already bloated coffers, while wasting millions on some meaningless military parade, is astounding. The truth is the money wasted on feeding Donald Trump’s desire to see tanks and missiles paraded past his luxury hotel is money our nation desperately needs turning the lights back on in Puerto Rico, providing treatment for the opioid epidemic, making college affordable, and countless other needs Donald Trump seems to have no interest in meeting.

Americans across the country, Congress, and the DC government need to make it clear that this kind of authoritarian show of force has no place in the United States.